Description

Locate the tall face where The Sound of One Shoe Tapping and W. A. C. converge; this route is on the second rock to the right. You can access the top of the rock via a fourth-class gully left of the face.

R. A. F. is the rightmost of two routes that diverge near the first bolt; Penelope Street (aka Battle of Britain), 5.10a/b, is the left of the two.

Alan Winter was of British orgin and Dave Houser named the route R.A.F. not for a Royal Air Force as might be supposed, but for Royal [or Real] Ass F*cker -- for the reason Alan's comment below explains.

The real reason it was called RAF, was that there was a rather large Yucca with very pointy branches right at the start of the route. In fact, at the start we had to traverse in from the right to get above it. So Dave and I decided on the pun right when we finished the route. I don't know if the Yucca is still there. But the reason for the route name should now be obvious and an inside joke for years. It has been a long time since I climbed. I miss the old crowd of Mike Waugh, Dave, and the others. Randy has an excellent memory to remember that I am English.

I didn't see that yucca but if I had led this I would have been looking for it (so I wouldn't land on it). This is a real spicy friction climb. There are 0 big holds and its all balance. There are no anchors at the top so you'll need some gear for the belay.

I tend to agree with 510b4me on the rating. But 5.9/5.9+ whatever depending/ It is a fun as hell, friction plus zero hold Jtree special. There are anchors on top that can be used now to bring up your second. Hopefull they will not be chopped by some SOB thinking he/she is God of the rock.

For sure a fun and worthwhile route to add to a tick list. Not sure about it being spicy or having no holds at all, as that as far as Jtree friction is concerned it has perfect tiny edges and little bulges everwhere you need them and the bolts are right around each crux making it a great route to test your friction limits without paying a big price. If I am in the area its a route I never miss and always smile after. Try Swing low right next to it or WAC on the next buldge left to make it a 5.7, 5.8, 5.9 circuit of jtree slab